Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel received an email in 2007 notifying him of the activities of Dennis Talbott, who has been named in reports this week as having paid ex-Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel received an email in 2007 notifying him of the activities of Dennis Talbott, who has been named in reports this week as having paid ex-Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor. (AP Photo)

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported the revelation Friday after gaining a copy of the email. The report does not cite the sender, but it includes allegations against Talbott, a freelance photographer who has sold Ohio State memorabilia online.

"He has sold over 50 items with underclassmen signatures before their eligibility expires and would seem to be someone that both you and the university is aware of," the email read, according to the newspaper's report. "I have a full report of his eBay activities if you would like to explore further or require documents.²"

WBNS, a Columbus television station, reported Friday that Buckeyes official were again informed about Talbott's actions in July 2010 through the athletic department compliance office's anonymous tip line. The station reported that only then did school official begin to investigate the Talbott-Pryor relationship.

The revelation shows that at least Tressel had knowledge of Talbott's behavior, which fostered NCAA violations committed by OSU players, better than three years before anyone investigated it or reported it to the NCAA.